Western Cape police have arrested nine suspects, including employees from the Oudtshoorn Traffic Department, for allegedly issuing fraudulent driver’s licences.
Reports suggest that these arrests stem from covert operations done over a period of time based on allegations that the arrestees all form part of an organized syndicate whereby learner or driver’s licences were issued to applicants in return for gratification, using a local driving school.
According to police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, armed with search and seizure warrants, police pounced on the Oudtshoorn driver licence offices as well as the houses of identified suspects to execute the arrests.
“Subsequent to the arrests they also seized a Mercedes 14 ton truck, a sedan motor vehicle, cell phones, computer equipment and an undisclosed amount of cash, all directly linked to the illicit transactions, “Pojie said.
Pojie indicated that they also arrested the owner and employees of a driving school in the area.
Meanwhile, the suspects who are all in police custody are scheduled to make their first court appearance in the Oudtshoorn Magistrates’ court on Monday, 21 February.
However, due to the extent of the offences committed, bail will certainly be opposed as they also face charges related to, the Contraventions of the Road Traffic Act, Fraud, Corruption and Contravention of POCA which amounts to money laundering.
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Picture: SAPS
